牋牋For BASF, Spain has special relevance as a present and future market. Following early commercial contacts at the end of the nineteenth century, BASF began its activity in our country as early as 1911 with the first exports of dyestuffs and auxiliary chemical products.

牋牋When BASF Espa駉la, S.A. was set up in 1966, we took on an identity of our own and, with the acquisition of property in the industrial area of Tarragona, initiated the building of modern manufacturing plants, which would later be enlarged. With the passing of time, this petrochemical complex has become one of the three most important Verbund integrated production centres belonging to BASF in Europe, and the only one on the Mediterranean Coast.

牋牋Through the purchase of shares in different companies and the creation of new firms, BASF has constantly increased its presence in Spain in such varied sectors as tanning, polyurethane, animal feeds and the food industry, veterinary supplies, printing inks and business services.

牋牋The company Glasurit S.A. was founded in 1978, as a continuation of the activities of Urruzola, S.A.,. Now known as BASF Coatings, S.A., it is one of the leading manufacturers of lacquers and paints in Spain. The advanced technology of its production plants, located in Guadalajara, has been reinforced by significant investments in the production of water-based paints. With the purchase of 25% of the shares of Curtex Industries Sint閠icas, S.A. in 1994, up to that point in the hands of R鰄m GmbH, BASF Espa駉la became its sole shareholder.

牋牋In 1997, a new company was founded in the BASF Group: BASF Management Services S.A. From 1998, it began providing a wide range of professional services to all the companies in the BASF Group located in the Iberian Peninsula. Since May 2001, it has concentrated on providing IT services under the name BASF IT Services S.A.

牋牋Norte馻 de Distribution S.L., former distributor of BASF Espa駉la, was acquired at the end of 1997. This company currently doesn't belong to BASF Group.

牋牋1997 was also a year of consociations and joint ventures for BASF. The most outstanding of these were Elenac S.A., in collaboration with Shell in the field of polyethylene; and the company Targor Ib閞ica S.A., the result of the union with Hoechst in the field of polypropylene. The BASF group subsequently purchased all shares of Targor and in 2000 established a global alliance with Shell in the polyolefin sector, which meant the integration of Montell, Elenac and Targor into a new company called Basell.Midway through 2000, the BASF Group acquired the company Cyanamid, thus reinforcing its international position in the agrochemical sector. At the end of 2000, BASF Espa駉la, S.A. moved its head office to Tarragona, where it would occupy new administrative offices.

牋牋One of the main productive investments of BASF Espa駉la, S.A. in 1998, was the completion and putting into operation of the new fungicide plant . In infrastructures, construction was completed on the supply rack between the factory and the port of Tarragona. Another highlight was the completion of the project for the Incinerator for Special Waste Products at Constant, in the province of Tarragona, in which BASF not only contributed its technology, but also participated in the construction.

牋牋In 1999, the new plant for the formulation of phytosanitary products was opened. This investment meant the consolidation of our production centre in the field of agrochemical products.

牋牋Moreover, investments were made in infrastructures that enabled us to tackle the important investments planned for the next three-year period.

牋牋Among the projects currently being carried out and which will mark the future development of our Integrated Production Centre in Tarragona, we would like to highlight the new polypropylene plant at Basell; the new propane dehydrogenation plant opened by BASF SONATRACH PropanChem S.A, a joint venture between BASF Espa駉la, S.A. and SONATRACH; the new energy supply plant; and the expansion of the tank park in the port area.

牋牋At present, BASF commercialises its extensive range of products in Spain through eight companies, six of which control their own manufacturing. All together our firms employ more than 2,000 workers in all fields of activity with special emphasis being placed on Quality, Safety, Health and respect for the Environment, all within the framework of a company backed by a strong Commitment to Progress.